Visitors to late-night haunt Third Edition will only pass through the establishment’s front door from now on, after noise complaints forced owners to adjust their contract with the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E.

The new entry rules mark a change from past practice, when patrons could pass through the alley leading to the back entrance of the property. The change comes following concerns over noise levels outside the bar, according to ANC Commissioner Jake Sticka (COL ’13).

Officials mulled over the voluntary agreement with Third Edition for several months before it was finalized last week. Voluntary agreements, brokered between the ANC and local bars, set restrictions to ensure the establishments can keep their liquor licenses.

The topic first came up during the ANC’s November meeting after community members bemoaned the noise coming from the alley at closing time. The ANC initially protested the renewal of Third Edition’s liquor license, but the recently passed revisions have neutralized any concerns, according to Sticka.

Though the ANC itself does not have the power to revoke liquor licenses, voluntary agreements with the ANC, which are continually under review, help ensure that bars are able to maintain their liquor licenses.

The owners of another area bar, Prospect Street’s George, are looking to end their voluntary agreement with the ANC on the hours of operation, traffic flow and outdoor seating options, according to ANC Commissioner and Representative to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration Bill Starrels.

But George’s push to cut off the arrangement has been met by pushback from the ANC, which has requested more time to evaluate the agreement with the bar’s attorney, Starrels said.

Confusion arose at the ANC’s Jan. 31 meeting when owners and patrons of local bar George arrived to defend the establishment’s position on liquor license negotiations but were not allowed to speak due to a scheduling error.

Starrels said that the owners of George want to bump up its capacity from 99 to 200, while the ANC wants to maintain the levels laid out in the standing agreement.

Discussion of a possible voluntary agreement between George and ANC appeared on the meeting’s agenda published online, but the ANC had removed the topic from its budget prior to the meeting, according to Sticka. There can be no discussion until an agreement is drafted, which did not occur before the meeting, he said.

“It would appear that the communication didn’t reach some members,” Sticka said.

Sticka said he empathized with George’s owners, who gave up their night to support the establishment and were subsequently ignored at the meeting.

“We all felt bad about that,” he said.

ANC meetings are held once monthly, and last Monday’s was counted as the meeting for February.

The Citizens Association of Georgetown has announced its support of ANC’s protest of George’s liquor license, as reported in the Georgetown Dish. CAG is specifically worried about the use of George’s outdoor courtyard.

“Like the ANC, we are concerned with the effects on the community from more people in an already saturated area,” CAG President Jennifer Altemus said in an email. “Sound in the courtyard reverberates and carries into the condos and apartments around it.”

CAG has historically worked with the ANC on voluntary agreements for Georgetown’s bars and restaurants, according to Altemus.

Georgetown’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration caps liquor licenses available for local establishments at about 1,750.